From The Scotsman: Oldest Altarpiece Restored to Former Glory.
Neglected for centuries, England’s oldest altarpiece has been restored to its former glory and today goes on display in the National Gallery.
The Westminster Retable, an ornately-decorated thirteenth century panel painting, has been painstakingly repaired in a twenty-year project.
The Retable is divided into five panels depicting biblical figures, including an image of Christ holding a miniature representation of the earth.
It is considered one of the most important northern European panel paintings of its time.
Henry III gave it to Westminster Abbey at the end of his reign after he had overseen the church’s reconstruction in the French Gothic style.
The piece would have been at the back of the altar facing away from the congregation so few but the priest officiating at mass would have seen it. [continue]
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Westminster Retable: London's Oldest Altarpiece - National Gallery
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Britain's Earliest Surviving Oil Painting on Show - MonstersAndCritics.com